Waspie_Dwarf Posted July 15, 2014 #1 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Curiosity Finds Iron Meteorite on Mars This rock encountered by NASA's Curiosity Mars rover is an iron meteorite called "Lebanon," similar in shape and luster to iron meteorites found on Mars by the previous generation of rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. Lebanon is about 2 yards or 2 meters wide (left to right, from this angle). The smaller piece in the foreground is called "Lebanon B."Read more... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merc14 Posted July 16, 2014 #2 Share Posted July 16, 2014 http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/186393-curiosity-finds-massive-metal-meteorite-on-mars-as-it-moves-into-more-dangerous-exciting-territory NASA’s Curiosity rover has encountered a massive iron meteorite on Mars. At roughly two meters (6.5 feet) wide, and who knows how much beneath the surface, the meteorite (dubbed “Lebanon”) might be the largest ever discovered on Mars. In other news, Curiosity recently celebrated its first Martian anniversary on the Red Planet (almost two Earth years), and is now about two thirds of the way to its primary target of Mount Sharp, which it should reach in early 2015. Perhaps most interestingly, Curiosity recently passed into a region of terrain that is much more likely to yield exciting geology data and dramatic photos of the Martian landscape. http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/186393-curiosity-finds-massive-metal-meteorite-on-mars-as-it-moves-into-more-dangerous-exciting-territory 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
questionmark Posted July 16, 2014 #3 Share Posted July 16, 2014 hmmm... looks like it just found a good reason to get to Mars: lotsa cheap iron lying around.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie_Dwarf Posted July 16, 2014 Author #4 Share Posted July 16, 2014 hmmm... looks like it just found a good reason to get to Mars: lotsa cheap iron lying around.... A few iron meteorites hardly constitutes lots. If you are looking for iron from space then the asteroid belt is a much better idea. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merc14 Posted July 17, 2014 #5 Share Posted July 17, 2014 hmmm... looks like it just found a good reason to get to Mars: lotsa cheap iron lying around.... I take it you don't approve of the Mars Science Laboratory mission? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithisco Posted July 18, 2014 #6 Share Posted July 18, 2014 It would be good if the orbiter imaged the impact crater (if there is one) and how the impact of such a large meteorite affected the surrounding area and geology. How did the immense heat from the meteorite interact with its immediate environment? I would expect glassy spherules to be reasonably abundant, have any been found in the vicinity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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